Noel Saks, MD

Ectropion

Ectropion

Ectropion is the medical term used to represent sagging and outward turning of the lower eyelid and eyelashes.

The margin of the eyelid and the eyelashes evert (turn out) .

This rubbing can lead to excessive tearing, crusting of the eyelid, mucous discharge and irritation of the eye.

During blinking, the eyelids normally sweep across the surface of the cornea (Tearing occurs because the eyelids are not able to wipe the surface of the cornea suitably to pump the tears into the tear duct.

Most cases of entropion are due to relaxation of the tissues of the eyelid as a result of aging. Some cases result from scarring of the eyelid caused by chemical and thermal burns, trauma, skin cancers, or previous eyelid surgery. Rarely Ectropion can be present at birth if the eyelids do not form suitably.

Cicatrical Ectropion

Treatment: lubrication, surgery (skin graft for vertical elongation) Photographs below show a patient who sustained SEVERE facial burns, with resultant cicatrical changes, complete eversion of the left upper eyelid with scarring of the lid margin/lashes to the area of the eyelid crease

To its left, is a photograph immediately after surgery. A skin graft was placed to release the scar and un-fold the upper eyelid.

Paralytic

Anatomy & Function of the facial nerve

The facial nerve (CNVII) has two major divisions and controls the muscles of facial expression, including the frontalis muscle (raises the eyebrows), the orbicularis oculi muscle (closes the eyes), the zygomaticus muscles (raises the angle of the mouth)